Thursday, March 5, 2009

whenever he leaves a room, it takes on the stickiest possible smell of fish. my teacher once referred to him as "the scuzzy violin guy" so i call him "scuzzy fish guy" and people seem to know who i'm talking about. he likes the way i play bach.

the first time i learned this was one night over the summer, when i was farting around with the f minor keyboard concerto. he walked in with his violin and mysteriously omnipresent grocery bag and began exclaiming. he talked with a vacant enthusiasm about the mysterious "ancient minors" and it was strictly upon his exit that the room took on the smell of fish.

several weeks ago, i was practicing again and heard the crackling of a paper bag outside the practice room door. i finish the second fugue from the e minor toccata. he walks in and exclaims, questions, declares. he leaves and the fish come in.

last night, i'm having break-throughs. i get it, this, these things, how it should swell and prick and that strong is not heavy and all of these things and the world just scintillates. i'm feeling totally brilliant. i've caught the spirit. he walks in.

"what is that? e minor?"
"second fugue."
"yeah. interesting."

and then he leaves. interesting? where are the exclamations?

i thought i was playing really well! he leaves me with the fish and a general perplexion.

2 comments:

Amandolin said...

That guy has been banned from every grocery store and restaurant in the Arcata area. I have never heard him play violin, but I am so curious about whether he is any good or not.

John said...

I've spent roughly a dozen hours by now listening to this guy ramble. There occur some strange and tedious shades of brilliance once in awhile, but it's generally like sitting through the farking Wagner Ring Cycle just to hear the Ride of Valkyries being played by four bassoons and a Tuba. Er, if that makes any sense. But what the heck do I know.

P.S. -> Dunno about his violin playing. Sorry.